Ewan had finished second on the opening stage of the International Cycling Union (UCI) WordTour event yesterday.

His second chance came on the 168-kilometre stage from Hatta to Hatta Dam, where he had triumphed on stage four in 2019.

The prospects of a sprint finish on the stage were boosted when only Serbia’s Veljko Stojnić and Italy’s Leonardo Tortomasi formed a breakaway.

The move was ended with around 25 kilometres left to race, with teams beginning the increase the pace as the finish drew closer.

Ireland’s Sam Bennett attempted to surprise his sprint rivals by beginning his final effort earlier on the ascent to the finish.

Ewan was able to cover the move and the Australian ultimately came past the leader to take victory in a time of 4 hours 18mim 16sec.

Bennett finished as the runner-up, with the Deceuninck-Quickstep rider finishing two seconds adrift.

France’s Arnaud Démare led the chasing pack over the line a further two seconds in arrears.

“I knew from last year that you can see the finish from the bottom of the climb to Hatta Dam and it doesn’t look so far but it’s very hard and we don’t go so fast up that hill,” Ewan said after his stage win.

“I made sure that I kept the energy I needed for the last 50 metres.

“After the successful season I had last year I really wanted to start this season well and keep the momentum.

“Milan-San Remo is the race I’ve really been aiming for at the start of every season in the past few years.

“Nothing changes here, it’s my big goal for the first part of 2020.

“This year we’ll have an even better team than last year, and we have a second option with Philippe Gilbert if the race is hard.”

The stage victory saw Ewan take the overall race lead, with the Lotto Soudal rider enjoying a 12-second cushion over second placed Bennett.

Racing will continue tomorrow with a 184km stage from Al Qudra Cycle Track to Jebel Hafeet.

The climber-friendly stage is expected to see the general classification contenders come to the fore.